The joint letter, agreed by UK and Argentina, was delivered to minister Eladio Loizaga by UK and Argentine ambassadors, Matthew Hedges and Hector Lostri

The United Kingdom and Argentina presented on Monday to the Paraguayan foreign ministry a joint letter requesting assistance in contacting airlines in the country that could be interested in establishing a new scheduled air service to and from the Falkland Islands.

The joint letter, which was agreed by UK and Argentina, was delivered to foreign minister Eladio Loizaga by UK ambassador Matthew Hedges and Argentine ambassador Hector Lostri.

Last week the Falklands government made public a release on the initiative of a new weekly scheduled air service to third countries, calling for interest responses from eligible airlines by the end of February, when a commercial process will be initiated led by the Falklands government.

Falklands will evaluate viable proposals from interested airlines and undertake negotiations, with the objective of securing one additional flight per week, including a monthly stop in Argentina, once in each direction, before the end of 2018. This will complement the existing weekly LATAM flight to and from Chile.

A similar letter was also jointly released to Brazil, Chile and Uruguay. Falklands are intent in a more fluid relation with its neighbors creating a confidence climate, increasing trade, tourism and peoples' contacts.

Falklands hopes that the final contract negotiations will be completed over the winter months, with the new air link due to become operational in October 2018.

Top Comments

Whereas you go to incredible lengths to try to make people believe that the FIG has played no part. Risible nonsense.

It was the FIG that raised the issue of a second flight; it will be the FIG that has to offer guarantees. That they don't feature in any photos is just a sop to Argentine sensitivities. The FIG still has the final say.

First, they've got to convince the Islands' people. They may struggle with that.

Feb 22nd, 2018 - 12:59 am +5

Roger Lorton

Something sent to me a few hours ago from a reliable source. No names, no pack drill, obviously.

The problem is that previously all permutation of the second flight have to factor in Argentine airports as a diversion in the case of an emergency. This is airline industry standard. However since 2003 Argentina has refused permission except to the LATAM flight. This made a second flight just about possible but uneconomic and technically difficult. ... What is happening is a public exhibition that Argentina has changed its mind on that aspect and will not hamper flight operation. Quite simply it is a public confidence booster and makes a second flight quite viable. I can't see a problem. It certainly isn't about Argentina controlling our flights, it's about Argentina agreeing to the freedoms of the air, ... ....In the real world none of this would be necessary, the rules are already there. But because Argentina in the recent past was particularly difficult with sea and air links, the airline industry need re-assurance. FIG definitely have the final say. The flight has got to be authorised by the DCA of the Falkland Islands, that includes checking the certification of the proposed airline and even the aircraft to be used. They have to file a flight plan and that can be rejected. 